When you’re just starting out playing darts, or when you only plan on playing a few nonchalant games here and there, all you really need to play a simple game of darts are the darts themselves and a board. But if you truly want to take your dart games to the next level, having the proper equipment to compliment your setup can add that extra level of fun and professionalization you would be otherwise missing out on.
If you’ve ever wanted to take your darts games to the next level but don’t quite know how to do that, you’re in the right place! Let’s take a look at the equipment you’ll need to up your darts game.
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Darts: what equipment do you need?
While there’s nothing really wrong with having a simple setup such as having only a dart board and a single set of darts, by having all the proverbial bells and whistles you could potentially take your darts experience to a full 10!
Today we’re going to go over the best:
- Dartboard
- Dartboard cabinet
- Dart tips
- Dart flights
- Floor mat
- Darts sharpener
- Dart wax
- Broken dart shaft remover
Each item on this list has the potential to make your game better, increase your enjoyment, and add some nice luxury to some aspects.
Best Dartboard
Winmau Blade 5 Duel Core Dartboard
While we’ve gone over the best dartboards before in previous articles, this list would just seem a little incomplete without including one of the best picks from there. Be sure to check out this article for more options!
Why we like it: This advanced dart board features a dual core and thin wiring system that helps improve stick and scoring. Reduced bounce and deflection come from the reduced wire angle.
Best Dartboard Cabinet
Viper Vault Deluxe Dartboard Cabinet
Dartboard cabinets are not only great for protecting your walls from the occasional stray dart, but they can also come with other helpful additions such as: score keeping, dart storage, and just looking snazzy!
Why we like it: This particular dart cabinet come with a wide array of extras, but also looks pretty snazzy. You can also choose from just the cabinet, a deluxe version, and the premium options which includes LCD scoreboard, 18″ board with sisal fibers, and an adjustable laser line.
Best Dart Tips
Having spare dart tips can be very helpful when a rowdy game of darts gets a little too intense and one breaks. Extra tip options you can swap out for different boards / play styles is also a common thing to do.
However, as much as I’d like to say that there’s one be-all-end-all dart tip type that all the pros fall back to for an easy win, that’s just sadly not the case.
The best type of darts can change vastly for each individual player depending on different things, one example being your height. To make sure you only pick out the best darts that suit your needs, be sure to read up on this article here, where we cover all those juicy secrets on what dart type might just be your Holy Grail.
Best Dart Flights
Harrows Retina Black Dart Flights
Dart flights, the little wings at the very end of your darts, are probably one of the most customized part of darts as a whole. With so many colors and shapes to choose from, it can become quite overwhelming to pick the right ones. While the color and style are entirely up to you, not all dart flights are created equal. Some can run on the lighter side while others are on the heavier side. There are also some that perform better than others in specific situations.
It’s best to do some research and look into what your specific needs are, then select the right flights. We go deeper into this topic in this article if you wish to learn more, so be sure to check it out and arm yourself with more knowledge.
Why we like it: While you will probably be changing out your dart flights depending on a multitude of factors, the ones we picked here are a great starting point!
Best Protective Floor Mat
ZAAP Heavy Duty Darts Mat With Throw Lines
Even the most skilled of darts players can still get the occasional dreaded bounce-out. You make what you think is a perfect throw, only to have your dart bounce off the board and slap into the ground. Ouch!
When this happens in your own home it can be even worse. Between the possibility of breaking either your floor or the darts, bounce-outs at home can get ugly. Protect both your floor and darts by investing in a protective floor mat!
Why we like it: This protective floor mat by ZAAP will not only protect your floor and darts from a long fall, but it also has built-in throw lines to boot! There are lines at 7’6″, 7′ 9 1/4″, 8’0″ and 8’6″ for a variety of throw positions. It rolls up neatly for storage, too.
The thing you have to be wary of about quite a few floor mats is that they tend to smell quite pungently like rubber. That’s usually what they’re made of, so it makes sense. Luckily you just have to put the stinky mat in a well-ventilated room for a few days, maybe a week to get the smell out.
Best Darts Sharpener
TIHOOD Round Special Dart Sharpener
Steel darts need special care. Making sure your steel-tipped darts are good and sharp can help to keep them stuck into their intended target rather than just bouncing out. A bounce-out can damage not only your floor and your toes, but also the dart itself. Prevent dull darts with this sharpener.
Why we like it: Small, lightweight, comes in multi-packs, and sharpens easily with little effort.
Best Dart Grip Wax
Forrest Mor Grip Tub of Slip Control Wax
If you or a friend have ever had a dart slip right out of your fingers or find that your grip is a little off no matter how hard you’re holding, there’s a solution for you! You can get special dart wax to keep them in place better for improved accuracy and fewer misplaced darts.
Why we like it: This wax is perfect for keeping your darts steady without being too difficult to remove like some waxes can be. Easy to remove, easy to apply, fast-drying, effective, and low cost.
Best Broken Dart Tip Remover
Elkadart Broken Shaft and Dart Point Remover
While you’re not often going to have broken darts, or at least I hope you won’t, this handy little tool is still going to be a lifesaver when you do get a broken dart or two!
Why we like it: This broken dart tip remover makes the pesky task of tip removal a breeze. It’s easy to use, lightweight, and durable. It’s great for steel and softer darts, too.
Conclusion
As we’ve said before: when you’re just starting out in the wonderful world of darts, having only some darts and a board could be fine for a while, and suits the casual players well enough. But if you’ve ever wondered if there’s something out there to add some pizzazz, or you’ve wanted to take that old setup to the next level to really up your games, then you’ve come to the right place. These additions that we’ve carefully picked out, whether you choose just one or all of them, can really help to take your darts experience even further beyond.
While some of these items can range from just something nice to have, such as a broken dart remover, to actual game changers like our pick for the best sisal dartboard, rest assured we picked only the best that we could find out there just for you fellow darts junkies!
